Ban on laughing gas welcomed by Suffolk health boss
It's now illegal to be in possession of nitrous oxide - or laughing gas - for recreational use
Possession of laughing gas with the intent of getting high has been made illegal, with repeat offenders facing up to two years in jail.
Dealers who peddle nitrous oxide could face up to 14 years behind bars.
The ban, promised as part of the Government's anti-social behaviour action plan, makes nitrous oxide a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
This means possession of nitrous oxide, where a person intends to wrongfully inhale it for a psychoactive effect, is now an offence.
Consequences could include an unlimited fine, community sentences or, for repeat serious offenders, a prison term.
Andrew Kelso is a medical director for Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board and welcomes the change: "It's really good news. It is a difficult law to uphold because it's still legal to buy and use the canisters for appropriate use like catering uses, but anything that makes it more difficult, and less socially acceptable to buy is great news, because it's it's it's a massive problem in some parts of England."
He explained some of the risks: "Nitrous oxide can reduce the amount of vitamin B12 in your body and particularly in your blood."
"It can also cause damage to the nervous system causing inflammation and scarring in the spinal cord.
"In mild cases that gives some tingling in the hands and the feet which will resolve with treatment, but in severe cases, it can make people's balance so bad that they can't walk and may have muscle weakness as a result of it as well...
"Some people are left with permanent symptoms that never go away."
Legitimate reasons
It will still be possible to use the gas for legitimate reasons, such as catering, pain relief during labour or in model rockets.
Licences will not be required to carry nitrous oxide, but users will need to demonstrate they are lawfully in possession of the gas and not intending to wrongfully inhale it.
Crime and Policing Minister Chris Philp said: "Today we are sending a clear signal to people, especially young people, that not only is abuse of nitrous oxide dangerous to their health, but it is also illegal and those caught possessing it will face consequences."